How To Choose The Right Stream In Class 11: An Expert Explains

Choosing a stream in class 11 is a task that requires one to carefully contemplate multiple factors. The pressure of getting it right is immense, not least because it determines the academic choices that students will make in the next few years, but also the career path that they are most likely to take. Careers360 conducted a webinar with the purpose of helping you understand what are the factors that are to be kept in mind while making a decision, the career options that each stream entails, how to evaluate two alluring choices against each other, and much more.

We were joined by Dr. Srividya, Founder, LifeVidya; Organisational Psychologist; Career and Personal Growth Coach, who talked to students about some practical ways in which they decide for themselves what will be the best stream for them to choose. In case you missed it, the following are some of the salient points from the webinar.

Also Read | Your Stream Need Not Limit Your Career Options: Check Out Some Real-Life Stories

Careers In Science, Commerce, And Humanities

Streams in India are broadly classified into Science, Commerce, and Humanities. Most of you know this, but it’s good to recap a few things to ensure that we’re all on the same page.

There are a host of careers related to the Sciences, some of which are given below:-

• Artificial Intelligence And Robotics
• Data Sciences
• Programming and Coding
• Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking
• Research Science
• Medicine
• Allied Medical Sciences
• Forensics
• Epidemiology
• Environmental Science and Waste Management

Now, let’s take a look at some career options in Commerce. When we talk about Commerce, we’re talking about careers that are related to business and finance-related matters, such as:-

• Chartered Accountancy
• Investment Analysis
• Actuary and Risk Management
• Business Analysis
• Business Finance
• Company Secretary
• Tax Consultancy
• Insurance
• Credit Analysis

Many students feel that it is best to be safe and stick with Science. But if you’re not interested in the Sciences, this can be a mistake. No matter what you choose, there’ll be a fair bit of studying involved. So, it is best to take up subject combinations and streams that you like to study, at least.

Similarly, there are many people who think that if they take up Humanities, they’ll be left with no option. But nothing could be further from the truth. Here are some career paths in Humanities to give you an idea of what it involves:-

• Civil Services: IAS, IES, IRS, IFS, and the like
• Law
• Psychology and Mental Health
• Sociology and Social Work
• Content Writing, Storytelling
• Design: Graphics, content, instruction, product, website
• Marketing and Sales
• Culinary Arts, Hospitality
• Social Entrepreneurship

The lists given here are only to give you an indication of what’s available. If you’re interested and want to know more about it, write down the career and the stream that will lead you to it, and research it a bit more.

Also Read | Stream Selection For Class 11: What To Do When You Don't Fit In Any Of The Three Streams

Factors To Keep In Mind While Choosing A Career

There are two main types of factors that you need to consider when choosing a career: external factors, and internal factors.

External Factors | These include things such as money and growth opportunities. The starting salary in your career will have a major impact on your future career path. Similarly, what your friends and family think about the career plays a defining role too. We all want to make our parents proud, and many of their dreams are tied to what stream and careers we choose, and what they allow. All of it is also tied to the social status that a career affords us, and whether or not the career is mainstream. There is safety and security in mainstream careers. It tells us that the industry is established and people know about it. The stability of the job, thus, plays an important role as well.

Internal Factors | These include things like your personality, your disposition, and your temperament. It is the ‘’who you are’’ side of things, the “what do you like to do” bit. Many people don’t consider this major factor and base their decision mostly on external factors, only to later realise that what they’ve chosen is not at all something that they can sustain. Ultimately, it is you who has to get up everyday and want to do what you have chosen to do. Tied to this are also your skills and abilities that you have come to develop, and will continue to develop. You should definitely consider things that you’re already good at and the careers where they’ll be employed.

There are a few questions that students should ask themselves when considering their careers. These are:

• What do you do when you forget time?
• What do others say you’re good at?
• What do you feel you’re good at?

Asking yourself these questions and coming up with honest answers will help you get a better idea of what’s best for you.

Every stream and career decision requires a dynamic selection of internal and external factors. Don’t just go by external factors like money and social status, or only internal factors like your personality. It’s best to choose careers that involve a good mix of the two. If a career motivates you, pays well, and has growth opportunities, that’s something to look into. If you can combine the two main factors, the chances of you being satisfied in your career will be much higher.

Also Read | Here Are Five Ways To Find Your Passion

Choosing Out Of Two Interesting Career Options

Caught Between Career Options?

The webinar consisted of an in-depth Q/A session, wherein students put forward questions about how to choose one of two career options that they feel interested in. Here are a few such excerpts.

Ethical Hacking And Particle Physics | Both are great career options, but choosing a career isn’t as simple as trying to determine which of the two careers is better. A student will have to list down one’s interests, and why s/he wants to do it. Why ethical hacking? Or why Particle Physics? Thereafter, consider how many years of study are involved in both, what’s the lifestyle of people in the two careers, what’s the remuneration, growth, etc.? For these two, you can take up PCM with Computer Science and have both options open to you. However, eventually, you will have to research and figure out which of the two seems more interesting to you.

Cricket And Coding | Both these fields are something that you can make a career out of. Because of the pandemic, the cricketing options may have reduced but coding has really taken off. At the end of the day, you have to go back to the external and internal factors, do a little research, and work through the answers. More importantly, it is extremely important that you play a few hours a week without fail, especially if you’re feeling down. It is good for your mental and physical health and will help you make better decisions.

Psychology And Psychiatry | Psychiatry is basically an MBBS degree followed by an MD in Psychiatry. So, if you want to be a psychiatrist, you have to take the NEET in India (or equivalent abroad), get your MBBS degree, and then get your MD in psychiatry. As a psychiatrist, you are in the position of prescribing medication to people who have mental health issues and challenges.

In Psychology, the career that is close to a psychiatrist is that of a clinical psychologist. For clinical psychology, a person has to get a Bachelor's in Psychology, followed by a master’s, and typically does a PhD in Clinical Psychology. They’re more interested in treating, providing therapy, behaviour modification, and counselling, but they don’t prescribe drugs. So you’ll have to see what’s your leaning when helping people with mental health issues.

Also Read | 9 Careers In Psychology You Should Aim

Medicine And Chartered Accountancy | If you’re looking at the breadth of opportunities, Science gives you all opportunities. It can help you provide a good base for all Science-based careers such as engineering, technology, coding, medical, etc. Any of these could be interesting to you if you’re willing to put in the necessary hours everyday. The same could be said for Commerce too. But rather than seeing things this way, flip the question and consider what you want to become first. What career interests you? If you know what you’re interested in, you won’t worry about the hours and intensity of studying. Because when it comes to studying for the entrance examinations, you will inevitably have to study a lot. So, read up on careers in the medical field and what a chartered accountant does, and whatever sparks your interest is a clue to what you want to be. Thereafter, consider the dynamic internal-external factors mentioned before and get a more detailed answer for yourself.

We hope that this helps you get some clarity about how should go about choosing a stream in class 11. We heartily thank Dr. Srividya for her invaluable insight and guidance in counselling students to make informed decisions about their careers.

Watch Now | Webinar: How To Choose A Stream In Class 11